Turkey and Greece: A Sailing Odyssey

Reverse ItineraryMay 07 - 16, 2013 (10 Days)

Days 1 & 2 — Athens/Pireaus

Depart on an overnight flight to Athens and head to Pireaus where you will board the Sea Cloud for dinner.Sea Cloud (D)

Day 3 — At Sea/Delos

Unwind on the deck as we set our course for Delos. Tiny Delos is known as the birthplace of the twin gods Artemis, goddess of animals and the hunt, and Apollo, god of healing, reason and light. It was also a flourishing port during the Roman era. Explore this extraordinary archaeological site today. Walk down the Terrace of the Lions and encounter the marble Temple of Apollo, one of the holiest sites in ancient Greece. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Folégandros/At Sea

Dock at the small island of Folégandros and head up to the cliff-side town of Hora. Stroll along the cobbled streets of the medieval kastro, and climb up to the castle for magnificent views of the island’s rocky shores and pristine beaches. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Santoríni

Make sure you’re on deck this morning as we glide into Santoríni’s volcanic caldera and see the island’s spectacular cliffs and whitewashed villages ringing the blue sea. Ashore, take a drive through vineyards to the tiny village of Ía and stroll past its iconic domed churches and windmills. Then continue to Thíra and take in splendid views of the caldera. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — At Sea

Enjoy a full day skimming across the sparkling Aegean in our lovely tall ship as we make our way to the Turkish coast under full sail. Relax with a book on deck, take in the views and watch the crew trim the sails, and attend talks by our experts on the history and culture of the region. Late this afternoon, we may stop for a swim or dock at one of the islands along our route. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Bodrum

Drop anchor in Bodrum, a lively seaside town built around two natural harbors. Venture into the Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century to combat the spread of the Ottoman Empire. Set on a promontory between Bodrum’s harbors, the castle now houses the impressive Museum of Underwater Archaeology, where we’ll examine items excavated from Bronze Age shipwrecks and artifacts from subsequent eras. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Didyma/At Sea

Watch sailors climb the lines to raise the sails by hand this morning. Under full sail, we set out for Didyma, an Ionian shrine that was the site of the oracle of Apollo. Wander among the ruins of massive columns to the Temple of Apollo and discover the site’s significance in the ancient world. Late this afternoon return to the Sea Cloud. (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Ephesus/Izmir

Disembark in the port of Kusadasi and head to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Take in views of this sparkling white city and then follow the Marble Way past ancient merchant houses to the Great Theater and the dazzling facade of the Library of Celsus. This afternoon, a short drive brings us to Izmir where we will board a flight to Istanbul and check into our hotel upon arrival.Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Istanbul, Turkey/U.S.

After breakfast, take advantage of free time to explore on your own, perhaps to visit the Blue Mosque to see its renowned
Iznik tiles, or the Hagia Sophia, where graceful minarets soar into the sky. In the evening, board a flight back to the U.S. (B)